Review of Margot at the Wedding (2007) by Joey L — 26 Aug 2009

Noah Baumbach's "The Squid and The Whale" was a fine film about an asshole Bohemian family acting like assholes. "Margot at The Wedding" is the same thing, but with a more dreary atmosphere. Luckily, it works well.

It is one of those small scale, low budget films that turn up now and again to give A-listers, and near A-listers, the chance to do some naturalistic performing. These films are always welcome.

In "Margot" we have Nicole Kidman acting her socks off as a vicious cunt of a human being, Jennifer Jason Leigh demonstrating what a fine and underused talent she is and Jack Black playing a more vulnerable variation on his arrogant loser persona. I was surprised by Jack Black. I like some of his comedies as much as the next guy, but "Margot At The Wedding" is not his normal oeuvre at all, and he was very effective.

"Margot At The Wedding" is a good film, and really kind of enjoyable, even if the whole dysfunctional family thing has been done a million times before. It is as funny as it is dramatic, with secrets revealed, adults behaving badly and children constantly puzzled by the grown ups that are supposed to be setting them a good example. It is a peek into the life of a family with problems.